union-coops:uk’s first conference at Wortley Hall, near Sheffield, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed until May 20^th/21^st next year due to rising Covid infection rates,

Between now and then we’re organising a series of online events.

The first online event in the series is:

“union-coops stateside” 

Oct 2nd 2021at 11.00am BST 

with Michael Peck (1worker1vote), Ra Criscitiello (Service Employees International Union – UHW), Kristen Barker & Ellen Vera (Coop Cincy) and Kevin O’Brien (Worx Printing)

Sponsored by BFAWU, MU, and Co-operative Ways Forward

A single ticket booking, available now, free of charge, will get you access to all the online events in this series. A donation towards our costs would be most appreciated, but is not a requirement. 

When booking please choose either “donation ticket” or “free ticket”.

Our second event is planned to be in November 2021 – (Date/time to be confirmed) with Colm Massey (Solidarity Economy Association) and trade union and co-operative colleagues direct from Rojava (North & East Syria)

If you book in advance you will automatically be updated with dates/times of future events in the series, and this will also help us plan for the number of attendees.

Book at:-

Alternatively you can simply log-in on the day using this link:-

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85906139225

Apologies to anyone who had technical problems with the Eventbrite link in the previous email – this has now been amended

In 2022 (Dates/times to be confirmed) we’re planning a series of further online events covering some of the topics below:-

How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?

What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?

How can workers get control over our daily working lives?

What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?

Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity?

Is the union co-op a model whose time has come?

We hope some of our panel of speakers may include:-

Cheryl Barrott (Co-op Party)

Miguel Martinez-Lucio (University of Manchester)

Ian Manborde (Equality & Diversity Organiser – Equity)

Michael Peck (1worker1vote)

Kristen Barker & Ellen Vera (Coop Cincy)

Kevin O’Brien (Worx Printing)

Ra Criscitiello (SEIU-UHW — USA)

Ian Wilson (CASE)

Sion Whellens (Workers Co-op Council)

Sarah Woolley (Gen Sec BFAWU)

David Barnard (Musicians Union)

Our face to face conference at Wortley Hall is provisionally scheduled for May 20^th/21st 2022

Bookings will reopen nearer the event

Stay subscribed for more details, or visit our website at www.union-coops.uk

Our conference on union-coops at 
Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire has been rescheduled to the spring of 2022, but in the meantime we are organising a series of online events starting Oct 2nd

The first online event in the series is:-

“union-coops stateside”

Oct 2nd 2021at 11.00am BST  with Michael Peck (1worker:1vote – USA), Ra Criscitiello (Service Employees International Union), Kristen Barker & Ellen Vera (Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative) and Kevin O’Brien

Sponsored by BFAWU, MU, and Co-operative Ways Forward

A single ticket booking, available now, free of charge, will get you access to all the online events in this series. A donation towards our costs would be most appreciated, but is not a requirement. 

When booking please choose either “donation ticket” or “free ticket”.

Our second event is planned to be in November 2021 – (Date/time to be confirmed) with Colm Massey (Solidarity Economy Association) and trade union and co-operative colleagues direct from Rojava (North & East Syria)

If you book in advance you will automatically be updated with dates/times of future events in the series, and this will also help us plan for the number of attendees.
Book at:-
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-events-series-tickets-178607739557 

Our face to face conference is provisionally rescheduled to next year – 17/18 June 2022 (tbc)

Bookings will re-open once the date and other details have been confirmed

Subjects discussed will include:-

• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity? 
• Is there a way of creating decent work?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?
• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity? 
• Is there a way of creating decent work?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?

Speakers will include:-

• Cheryl Barrott (Co-op Party)
• Miguel Martinez-Lucio (University of Manchester)
• Ian Manborde (Equality & Diversity Organiser – Equity)
• Michael Peck (1worker1vote – USA)
• Ian Wilson (CASE)
• Sion Whellens (Workers Co-op Council)
• Sarah Woolley (Gen Sec BFAWU)
• David Barnard (MU)

“Decent Work & Democracy”

Due to the increasing Covid19 infection rate, the organising committee have decided to postpone this event until spring 2022

We feel it is important to follow the precautionary principle and to make our own decisions on this matter, and not wait for guidance from the so called government. We hope that by the spring the Covid19 infection rate will have reduced and face to face meetings will be much safer again

Our conference on union-coops at 
Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire will be rescheduled in the spring of 2022, but in the meantime we will be organising a series of online events starting Oct 2nd

Book now for the online events at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decent-work-democracy-tickets-149918110103

The first online event will be on the original date of Oct 2nd 2021 with Michael Peck of 1worker:1vote and some of his USA colleagues. It is provisionally scheduled for 11.00am to 13.00, but exact times may be subject to change

Later online events will cover the topics below, and will include as many of the original speakers as are available

Tickets for the whole series are free, but a donation towards our costs would be appreciated

More details will be posted here when available

• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity? 
• Is there a way of creating decent work?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?

Speakers will hopefully include:-

• Cheryl Barrott (Co-op Party)
• Miguel Martinez-Lucio (University of Manchester)
• Ian Manborde (Equality & Diversity Organiser – Equity)
• Michael Peck (1worker1vote – USA)
• Ian Wilson (CASE)
• Sion Whellens (Workers Co-op Council)
• Sarah Woolley (Gen Sec BFAWU)
• David Barnard (MU)

We’ve put together a publications section on our website, on which we’ll make available our own publications, and others that are relevant to the union-coops:uk movement, some of which are no longer available on the web.

These include our own Manifesto, two reports, Not Alone and Working Together from Co-operatives UK and the Co-op College on the difficulties faced by the self-employed “precariat”, extracts from two books we’ve contributed to; Life after Covid-19 and The Preston Model; a report for the TUC, Organising the Precariat, and the Age of Google, a report by the late Robin Murray for Co-operatives UK, which looked at the future of co-operation, and not just co-ops.

Check them out at https://union-coops.uk

A conference on union-coops at
Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire on 1-2 October 2021

Bookings are now open for our first conference – Decent Work and Democracy

Book now for Early Bird savings at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decent-work-democracy-tickets-149918110103

• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity? 
• Is there a way of creating decent work?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?

Join us for union-coops:uk‘s first conference at Wortley Hall, near Sheffield, “the worker’s stately home”

Set in 26 acres of parkland, this grand stately home venue was built by Sir Richard Wortley in 1586, but is now owned and run by a workers co-op

At this event we shall be looking at:-

• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity?
• Is the union co-op a model whose time has come?

Speakers will include:-

• Cheryl Barrott (Co-op Party)
• Miguel Martinez-Lucio (University of Manchester)
• Ian Manborde (Equality & Diversity Organiser – Equity)
• Michael Peck (1worker1vote – USA)
• Ian Wilson (CASE)
• Sion Whellens (Workers Co-op Council)
• Sarah Woolley (Gen Sec BFAWU)

The conference starts with dinner on the Friday evening, and includes overnight accommodation and all meals.

The full conference runs throughout Saturday with plenary and active learning workshops in the “world cafe” style. Delegates can sign up for the full 24 hour package, or just the Saturday sessions.

Discounted (£140) Early Bird 24 hour delegate tickets are available until June 30th, after that the only 24 hour delegarte places available will be at full price (£160). 

As 24 hour places are limited, you are advised to book early to get a guaranteed place and the discount.

A conference on union co-ops at
Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire on 1-2 October 2021

Save the date for our first conference – Decent Work and Democracy

Bookings are now open at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decent-work-democracy-tickets-149918110103

• How can we ‘build back better’ after Covid-19?
• What can we do to promote democracy in the workplace?
• Do we have to accept the gig economy and precarity? 
• Is there a way of creating decent work?
• What can union activists do to fight for decent work and democracy?
• How can workers get control over our daily working lives?

The union co-op is a model whose time has come
A Union Co-op is a fully unionised, worker co-operative, owned and controlled by those who own and work in it. Trade unions are at the heart of this solidarity economy solution: a union co-op offers the potential for a 100% unionised workforce, with the union an essential part of the governance. The union co-op model can deliver improved wages and other terms and conditions by eliminating top-slicing by external owners. It offers us an opportunity to reset the working world, harnessing the collective power of workers, their knowledge, skills and creativity through strong partnerships with unions.

The Union Co-ops Council of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops and marketing sponsors
Co-op Cincy, Community and Worker Ownership Project, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, Northwest Co-op Development Center, Los Angeles Union Co-op Initiative, 1 Worker: 1 Vote, Wellspring Labor Co-ops Committee, Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation, Temple University Small Business Development Center, Democracy at Work invite you to attend a free Zoom webinar:

Why Worker Co-ops Should Matter to Labor Unions

Friday, February 12th, 2021 at 18.00 GMT (1:00 to 2:15 EST; 12:00 CST; 11:00 MST; 10:00 PST)  

Presenters: 

• John McNamara / Northwest Co-op Development Center;
• Lis Ryder / Los Angeles Union Co-op Initiative;
• Tim Palmer, union organizer;
• Ra Criscitiello / Service Employees International Union

Registration link: https://info.usworker.coop/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=413 

Our union-coops colleague, Michael Peck of 1 Worker 1 Vote writes about his recent appearance on the All Things Co-op video blog:-

American workers are being pushed to the brink. With a true unemployment rate of 26.1%, continuing unsafe working conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and disproportionate effects on marginalized communities, the need for change has never been clearer. 

“Are we going to allow brown-skinned agricultural workers, whose babies we put in cages, to all of a sudden be re-christened as ‘indispensable workers’ so that people social-distancing in the Hamptons can have their fresh strawberries?… We have an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and figure out what is work, what is value, what is fairness, what is justice.”

These are the words of Michael Peck, Executive Director of 1 Worker 1 Vote, former International Delegate (USA) for the Mondragón Co-operative Corporation (1999 – 2019), spoken during his recent appearance on our show All Things Co-op. A critical theme of this conversation focused on the need to grow worker solidarity in order to rebuild an economy for all: “Our culture is one of greed and selfishness, and defining liberty as ‘What’s good for me, myself and I.’ We’ve lost solidarity. We really have to decide what it is that we stand for as a country.”

Building solidarity in practical terms, Peck argues, involves a growing collaboration and unity between unions and worker cooperatives. Many people wonder why a worker owner would need a union, and Peck explains how the experiences from Mondragón have influenced a union co-op model that is advocated for here in the U.S. (Watch a short clip from the episode about this union co-op model). “Unions bring solidarity. Cooperatives bring workplace democracy. And when we put solidarity together with workplace democracy we have the beginnings of a better social construct.” 

“There is a whole lot to do for an activist worker movement,” said Peck. We couldn’t agree more, and we hope All Things Co-op can be a contribution to the sharing and spreading of knowledge and ideas that can help us build a stronger, fuller democracy – in our politics and culture as well as in our economy – based on workers’ equal collaboration and shared leadership inside enterprises and throughout society.

The current season of All Things Co-op has featured the voices of many cooperative activists, advocates, developers, incubators, and enthusiasts, each with specific experience in building a cooperative economy. They have all contributed illuminating insights to the work that is being done, a shining example of how this important movement can continue to grow. The All Things Co-op Season 3 Episode List is the place for you to see all the past episodes all in one place. 

We aim to keep All Things Co-op available for free and without ads. Help us sustain this show by supporting ATC via Patreon and by sharing episodes and clips with your networks. 

You can look forward to another fascinating conversation about cooperatives in our next episode of Economic Update, which features an interview with Camila Piñeiro Harnecker, an author and activist whose work focuses on economic democracy, in particular on worker cooperatives and public policy towards this enterprise sector. In particular, she discusses with Prof. Wolff why Cuba decided to move part of its economy from state owned/operated enterprises to worker co-ops, what oppositions and obstacles these co-ops face, and more. The episode hits the airwaves today and will be released on our website and YouTube channel Monday, October 26. If you want to hear more about Camila Piñeiro Harnecker’s research and work on Cuban cooperatives, you can listen to her 2019 interview on All Things Co-op.
In solidarity,
The  Team Democracy at Work

At our Manifesto launch, we were asked lots of questions by text and email.

We’ve tried to answer them here. Some questions have been combined for simplicity.

Q: Do you see union-coops developing in the housing co-operative sector? Housing co-ops are run democratically by tenant-members. Some housing coops employ staff directly while others use managing agencies (which are or originated as co-ops). 
Housing co-ops come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but most are homes that are owned collectively (mortgaged) by the member-tenants or owned by housing associations or councils but tenants are able to run as co-ops. 
The member-tenants work in all sorts of jobs or none and there are wider family members. 
So, can housing co-ops become union-coops in the way you envisage?

A: We don’t see that, because union-coops are really designed for worker co-ops, owned and controlled by the workforce, but we believe TUs should be involved in community organising in this sector. A union-coop supplying services to a housing co-op could be involved in a multi-stakeholder model, but with the proviso that in matters relating to employment the worker members hold majority voting rights in line with our manifesto.

Q: Principle 10 prompts big questions about the contractual and institutional arrangements for the 10% financial levy. How are these arrangements to be established? By who? And under whose control will they operate?

A: Principle 10 is one of the strictly bounded ethical principles upon which the union co-op is run. Rather than being a ‘one size fits all model’, it is flexible, and each individual union-coop needs to adapt it to respond to local contexts, needs and requirements. Co-operatives are by definition, autonomous, so the contractual and institutional arrangements of the 10% levy should be formalised when the union co-op is set up. It should be administered by each union co-op as they see fit, spending it themselves on their own activity, or passing it to other bodies – it’s up to them. 

See all the other Q&As at https://union-coops.uk/qa/